Carrier for a heavy load including a boom

ABSTRACT

A self-propelled carrier, which also may be towed, has a fixed platform on which a heavy load such as a concrete burial vault, for example, may be supported. The vault may be moved to and from the platform by a vertically movable hook, which is supported on a trolley movable along a boom parallel to the boom&#39;&#39;s longitudinal axis. The boom is supported intermediate its ends by a movable mast so that the boom may be lowered and raised independently of the vertical movement of the hook. The forward end of the boom has control members connected thereto to cause both tilting of the boom about a horizontal axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis and pivoting of the boom about a vertical axis.

United States Patent [191 Cloud Oct. 30, 1973 1 1 CARRIER FOR A HEAVY LOAD lNCLUDING A BOOM lnventor: James E. Cloud, Lexington, Ky.

[73] Assignee: Special Machinery, Inc.,

Lexington, Ky.

[22] Filed: Mar. 10, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 233,561

214/394; 212/75, 35 R, 35 BC Primary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Lawrence .l. Oresky Attorney-Frank C. Leach, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A self-propelled carrier, which also may be towed, has a fixed platform on which a heavy load such as a concrete burial vault, for example, may be supported. The vault may be moved to and from the platform by a vertically movable hook, which is supported on a trolley movable along a boom parallel to the boom's longitudinal axis. The boom is supported intermediate its ends by a movable mast so that the boom may be lowered and raised independently of the vertical movement of the hook. The forward end of the boom has [56] References cued control members connected thereto to cause both tilt- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing of the boom about a horizontal axis perpendicular 3,301,416 l/1967 Bopp 214/75 H to its longitudinal axis and pivoting of the boom about 1,967,166 7 1934 Walker 212 74 vertical axis, 3,034,658 5/1962 Balogh 212/ l-lC 2,915,206 12/1959 Doswell 214/75 H 14 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 2,928,560 3/1960 Wilkin 214/75 H 0 2,601,927 7/1952 Frenzel 212/35 R PATENIEDBMOIHB 3.768.670

' SHEET REF 3 F L I I I \47 PATENTED [JCT 3 0 I875 SHEET 3 BF 3 CARRIER FOR A HEAVY LOAD INCLUDING A BOOM In the burial of a body in a cemetery grave, the casket may be deposited within a concrete vault. The vault includes a top so that the casket is sealed within the vault whereby deterioration of the casket and the body within the casket is reduced when disposed within the grave.

A concrete vault weighs approximately 1,800 pounds and its top weighs approximately 700 pounds. Thus, each is quite heavy and is not maneuverable by one person without the aid of load handling equipment.

The vault must be lowered into the grave prior to the disposition of the casket within the vault. Because of the dirt from the grave being disposed normally along one side thereof and monuments being adjacent to the grave in many instances, it is difficult to always be able to dispose a vault within a grave with the presently available load handling equipment. The same problem also exists with respect to the top for the vault.

Additionally, any carrier or transporter for a vault or its top should not be disposed too close to the grave because the wall of the grave may collapse. The load of the vault and its carrier or the vault top and its carrier is substantially heavier than that of a casket with a body so that the problem of disposing a casket with a body in the grave does not create as great a problem insofar as the wall of the grave collapsing as when a concrete vault or its top is to be deposited within agrave.

Because the supplier of the vaults must be able to transport vaults from a storage warehouse or the like to various cemeteries on public roads and then transport the vault to the grave in the cemetery, it is economically necessary for the vault to be transported on a truck to the cemetery from the suppliers warehouse. The vault must then be removed from the bed of the truck, which would be parked on one of the roads in the cemetery, and then be transported to the grave in the cemetery. Accordingly, various types of carriers for transporting a vault to the grave of the cemetery are presently available.

One presently available carrier is electrically propelled and is transported from the suppliers warehouse to the cemetery by being disposed on the truck with the vault mounted on the carrier. It is necessary to use heavy skids to remove the carrier with the vault thereon from the truck to the ground by rolling the carrier and the vault down the skids; this is a dangerous operation. Furthermore, additional skids are required to transfer the vault from the carrier to the grave.

This carrier has the particular disadvantage that the vault can be unloaded from the carrier into the grave only by approaching the end of the grave unless additional equipment is used at significantly greater danger to the workers. Thus, if there are obstructions preventing the approach to the end of the grave, this carrier is not satisfactory by itself. For example, any perimeter obstruction around the grave over one foot in height makes installation of a vault virtually impossible with this carrier unless the workers take substantia risk and use additional equipment.

Another disadvantage with the electrically propelled carrier is that it requires a training period of one month for a man to learn to satisfactorily operate the carrier so as to properly dispose the vault in the grave. Furthermore, because of the obstruction problem, the operator must be skilled. This carrier also requires a second man, who need only be a laborer. I

Another presently available carrier for depositing a vault in a grave utilizes either gas or electric power to propel the carrier to the grave from the truck. Furthermore, the vault is lowered into the grave by a winch.

This carrier also has the disadvantage of requiring two men. Furthermore, skids and rollers are required to remove the vault frm the truck bed to the ground from which the vault is placed on the carrier.

To deposit the vault in the grave from this carrier, it is necessary that the grave be approached only from its end or side. This presents a problem when an obstruction prevents an approach from both of these positions. If there is any perimeter obstruction around the grave higher than 30 inches, installation with this carrier is impossible.

Furthermore, this .carrier has part of its weight in addition to the full weight of the vault resting on the side or end of the grave. Thus, the use of this carrier substantially increases the possibility of a wall of the grave collapsing.

For satisfactory operation of this carrier, it is necessary for one of the two men to be trained for one month as the other need only be a laborer. This is a significant cost to the supplier.

A further presently available carrier is gas propelled and employs a hydraulic winch to lower the vault into the grave. This carrier must approach the grave from the end or the side with additional equipment required if the grave is approached from the side. However, in either instance, the entire carrier and the vault must be disposed over the grave when lowering the vault into the grave. Thus, any obstruction around the perimeter of the grave makes the installation impossible.

The carrier is normally towed by a truck. Thus, this carrier requires only a single trip for a plurality of vaults.

This carrier requires only one man to operate. It requires three weeks of training.

The present invention satisfactorily solves the foregoing problems of the presently available carriers by utilizing a carrier in which it is not necessary for the carrier to be positioned either at the end or the side of the grave during lowering of the vault or its top into the grave. Thus, there is no possibility of a wall of the grave collapsing when using the carrier of the present invention since it is not necessary for the carrier to be adjacent the grave.

The carrier of the present invention also is not affected by obstructions around the perimeter of the grave unless they exceed four feet in height. Since there is always some angle at which one can approach a grave without encountering an obstruction higher than four feet, the carrier of the present invention enables a vault or its top to be easily deposited in any grave.

The present invention also significantly decreases the cost of training since it requires only one day of training. Furthermore, the present invention requires only one man, who need not be skilled, to operate. Accordingly, the cost for operating the carrier of the present invention is substantially reduced in comparison with the presently available carriers.

Since the carrier of the present invention is towed, it is necessary for its tow bar connection to be capable of being disposed at different levels for use with trucks having tow bars at different heights. The presen-t'invention satisfactorily meets this condition since the carrier may have its tow bar connection raised or lowered in accordance with the location of the tow bar on the truck.

The carrier of the present invention does not require any skids, rollers, or the like to remove the vault or its top from the truck to the carrier. In addition to eliminating this extra equipment, the danger to the operator of the carrier of the present invention is significantly less than with the presently available carriers in which skids and rollers must be employed.

The carrier of the present invention also has particular utility in transporting and handling a monument. After the base of a monument has been disposed in the ground adjacent a grave, it is necessary for the top portion of the monument to be properly positioned on the base of the monument. The tdp tiprtion of the monument weighs a significant amount in the same manner as a vault or a top of a vault, for example, so that precise positioning of the top portion of a monument on its base is a difficult chore.

The carrier of the present invention satisfactorily meets this problem since the carrier can easily transport the top portion of the monument to a position adjacent the grave and easily dispose the top portion at the desired position on the base of the monument. Thus, even though there are other monuments, which form obstructions, adjacent the area in which the monument is to be erected, these obstructions do not prevent the carrier of the present invention from handling the top portion of the monument to properly position it on its base.

An object of this invention is to provide a carrier for a heavy load with the carrier having means to change the position of the load relative to the carrier.

Another object of this invention is to provide a carrier for handling and transporting a vault, its top, a monument, or the like.

Other objects of this invention will be readily perceived from 'the following description, claims, and drawings.

This invention relates to a carrier including a frame supported by a plurality of wheels with the frame having a fixed platform to support a load. A boom is disposed in spaced relation to the platform by means mounted on the frame so that the boom is supported intermediate its ends for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. First moving means moves the boom about the vertical axis and second moving means moves the boom vertically relative to the platform. The boom supports load supporting means, which is moved vertically relative to the boom and the platform and independently of the first and second moving means by third moving means. The load supporting means is moved parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boom by fourth moving means.

The attached drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the carrier of the present invention with its boom in its lowermost position and with parts including hydraulic lines omitted for clarity purposes;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view, partly in section, of the main mast used with the carrier of the present invention showing the boom, its support arrangement, and the connection of the boom to the piston rods of the control cylinders and taken along line 22 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing the connection of the lower end of one of the control cylinders to the'frame of the carrier;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a trolley;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view showing the frontwheel of the carrier and its support structure;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the relation between the front wheel of the carrier and its control cylinder;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a rear portion of the frame of the carrier and showing the mounting arrangement of a stabilizer on the frame;

FIG. 8 is a schematic top plan view showing the driving arrangement for moving the trolley and lifting and lowering a hook sheave; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic circuit of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown a carrier 10 of the present invention. The carrier 10 includes a frame 11, which comprises a pair of longitudinal tubular members 12 connected at their forward ends by a pair of tubular members 14. The members 12 and 14 function to form a reservoir 15 (see FIG. 9) of the hydraulic system. The longitudinal tubular members 12 are secured to each other by braces 15.

The frame 11 supports an axle 16 on which are supported rear drive wheels 17 and 18. The wheels 17 and 18 are driven by a reversible hydraulic motor 19 (see FIG. 9) through a transmission (not shown). The transmission is a four speed transmission and is capable or providing four different speeds in either the forward or reverse direction. Whenever the carrier 10 is not to be propelled by the motor 19, the transmission is placed in its neutral position through a lever (not shown).

The frame 11 of the carrier 10 has a front steerable wheel 22. The wheel 22 is rotatably mounted in a bifurcated member 23 (see FIG. 5), which has an upper member 24 to which a steering arm 25 is secured. The upper member 24 extends through a tubular member 26 and beyond the upper end thereof so that the steering arm 25 may be attched thereto. The tubular member 26, Which has the upper member 24 rotatably mounted therein, is pivotally mounted on a horizontally disposed tubular member 27, which extends between a pair of supports 28 extending upwardly from the tubular members 14 of the frame 11.

The tubular member 26 has a lug 29 to which a piston rod 30 (see FIG. 6) of a hydraulic cylinder 31 is pivotally connected. The cylinder 31 is pivotally attached to brace means 32 on the frame 11. Accordingly, the pivoting of the tubular member 26 about the axis of the tubular member 27 by movement of the piston rod 30 of the hydraulic cylinder 31 produces raising or lowering of the front wheel 22 relative to the frame 11. The retraction of the piston 30 into the cylinder 31 raises the front wheel 22 while extension of the piston rod 30 from the cylinder 31 lowers the front wheel 22. This enables a tow bar connection 33 (see FIG. 1), which is at the junction of the tubular members 14, to be capable of being raised and lowered relative to any tow bar on a truck, for example.

The frame 11 has a stabilizer 35 supported atthe rear end of each of the.longitudinal tubular members 12.

The stabilizers 35 engage the ground whenever a load is to be raised or lowered.

Each of the stabilizers 35 includes a plate 36, which is secured to the bottom ofa piston rod 37 of a hydraulic cylinder 38. The cylinder 38 is supported in a sleeve 39, which is welded to a channel 40 (see FIG. 7). The channel 40 is supported between a pair of plates 41, which are welded to the end of the longitudinal tubular member 12, by screws 42.

Accordingly, the extension of the piston rod 37 of each of the stabilizers 35 moves the plate 36 into engagement with the ground so that the carrier is supported against movement. Retraction of the piston rod 37 of each of the stabilizers 35 into its cylinder 38 removes the plate 36 from engagement with the ground so that the carrier 10 can be moved.

The frame 11 has a pair of main mast hydraulic cylinders 45 supported thereon and extending upwardly therefrom. Each of the cylinders 45 also is supported by braces 46, which are supported by the frame 11, in addition to having the bottom of the cylinder 45 secured to the frame 11.

Each of the cylinders 45 has a piston rod 47 (see FIG. 2). A horizontally disposed main mast 48 connects the upper ends of the piston rods 47 to each other.

The main mast 48 includesa pair of channels 49 and 50 having their ends secured to the opposite sides of cylindrical members 51, which are fixed to the upper ends of the piston rods 47. A plate 52 is disposed between the channels 49 and 50 and secured thereto with the ends of the plate 52 terminating prior to the cylindrical members 51 on the piston rods 47 as shown in FIG. 2.

The main mast 48 supports a boom 55 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and tilting movement about a horizontal axis. The boom 55 includes channels 56 and 57 and a plate 58 secured to the tops of the channels 56 and S7.

The boom 55 is supported from the main mast 48 by a boom support 59. The boom support 59 includesa plate 60 having a pair of shafts 61 and 62 welded to its lower surface. The upper surface of the plate 60 abuts against the lower surface of a flat, bottom portion 63 of the plate 52 of the main mast 48. A bolt 64, which has its head welded to the lower surface of the plate 60 and end surfaces of the shafts 61 and 62, extends through an opening in the plate 60 and an opening in the flat portion 63 of the plate 52. The bolt 64 has a nut 65 secured to its upper threaded end and fixed thereto by a pin 66. Accordingly, the boom support 59 is pivotable about the vertical axis of the bolt 64.

The boom 55 is connected to the boom support 59 by a pair of pillow blocks 67 and 68. The pillow block 67 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 61 of the boom support 59, and the pillow block 68 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 62 of the boom support 59. The pillow block 67 is secured to an L-shaped bracket 69, which is fixed to the outer surface of the channel 56 of the boom 55. The pillow block 68 is secured to an L- shaped bracket 70, which is fixed to the outer surface of the channel 57 of the boom 55.

Accordingly, the boom 55 can be tilted about the horizontal axes of the shafts 61 and 62 of the boom support 59. Furthermore, since the boom support 59 is pivotable about the vertical axis of the bolt 64, the boom 55 is pivotable about this vertical axis. Therefore, the boom 55 is capable of both pivoting about a vertical axis and tilting about a horizontal axis.

Control of the pivoting of the boom 55 about the vertical axis and tilting about the horizontal axis is obtained through a pair of hydraulic cylinders 71 and 72. Each of the cylinders 71 and 72 has its lower end universally connected to the frame 11 of the carrier 10. The cylinders 71 and 72 have piston rods 73 and 74, respectively, universally connected to the front end of the boom 55. Thus, through appropriate extension and retraction of the piston rods 73 and 74, control of pivoting of the boom 55 about the vertical axis and tilting of the boom 55 about its horizontal axis is obtained.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cylinder 71 is universally connected to the frame 1 1 through the lower end of the cylinder 71 being pivotally connected to a trunnion block 75, which is pivotally mounted on a pin 76. The pin 76 is supported between an L-shaped bracket 77, which is fixed to the frame 11, and a plate 78, which is fixed to the bracket 77. Since the axis of the pin 76 is perpendicular to an opening in the trunnion block to which the cylinder 71 is secured by a pin 79, universal movement between the cylinder 71 and the frame 11 is obtained. A similar arrangement exists between the cylinder 72 and the bracket 77.

Thd piston rod 73 in the cylinder 71 is universally connected to the boom 55 through having a bifurcated member 80 (see FIG. 2) connected at its end. The bifurcated member 80 is disposed on opposite sides of a lug 81 ofa trunnion block 82. The bifurcated member 80 is pivotally connected to the trunnion block 82 by a pin 83 extending through an opening in the lug 81. The trunnion block 82 is pivotally supported about an axis, which is normal to the axis of the pin 83, by a pin 85. The pin 85 is supported in mounting blocks 86 on the boom 55. The piston rod 74 is similarly universally connected to the boom 55.

Accordingly, when one of the piston rods 73 and 74 is extended or retracted, the boom 55 can pivot about the vertical axis. The extension or retraction of the other of the piston rod 73 and 74 causes pivoting of the boom 55 in the opposite direction.

Tilting of the boom 55 about the horizontal axes of the shafts 61 and 62 of the boom support 59 occurs through simultaneously extending or retracting both of the piston rods 73 and 74 of the cylinders 71 and 72. Thus, the movement of the piston rods 73 and 74 of the cylinders 71 and 72, respectively, controls pivoting and tilting of the boom 55.

A trolley 90 (see FIG. 4) is supported on the boom 55 for movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boom 55. The trolley 90 includes a pair of parallel plates 91, which have their opposite ends connected by L-shaped brackets 92. Each of the plates 91 has a pair of flanged wheels 93 rotatably mounted thereon so that the flanged wheels 93 can ride along the lower flanges of the channels 56 and 57 (see FIG. 2) of the boom 55.

A chain 94 has one of its ends secured to a lug 95 on one of the brackets 92 and its other end secured to a lug 95 on the other of the brackets 92. The chain 94 is utilized to advance the trolley 90 along the boom 55. The chain 94 passes around a sprocket 96 (see FIG. 8), which is rotatably mounted adjacent the rear end of the boom 55 between the channels 56 and 57. The chain 94 also passes around a sprocket 97, which is secured to a shaft 98 of a reversible hydraulic motor 99. Accordingly, the motor 99, which is supported adjacent the front end of the boom 55, drives the trolley 90 in either direction along the boom 55.

The trolley 90 is limited in its movement toward the rear end of the boom 55 by engagement with a stop (not shown) which is supported by the channels 56 and 57. The movement of the trolley 90 toward the forward end of the boom 55 is stopped by a pair of stops 101 and 102 (see FIG. 2), which are mounted on the channels 56'and 57, respectively.

The carrier has a hook sheave 110 (see FIG. 1), which has a hook 109 universally supported thereon, supported on a loop of a cable 111 between two sheaves 112 and 113 (see FIG. 4), which are carried by the trolley 90. Each of the sheaves 112 and 113 is rotatably supported on a shaft extending between the plates 91 of the trolley 90.

One end of the cable 111 is secured to the rear end of the boom 55 (see FIG. 8) while its other end is wrapped around a drum 1 14, which is mounted on a rotatably supported shaft 115 for rotation therewith. The shaft 115 is rotatably supported by the channels 56 and 57 of the boom 55 and extends beyond the outer side of the channel 57. The extended portion of the shaft 115 has a sprocket 116 mounted thereon and around which a. chain 117 passes. The chain 117 also passes around a sprocket 118 on a shaft 1 19 of a reversible hydraulic motor 120, which is carried by the forward end of the boom 55 through a housing 120 within which are disposed the sprockets 116 and 118 and the chain 117.

The motor 120 can be activated to rotate in either direction to increase or decrease the length of the cable 1 11. When the length of the cable 1 1 1 is decreased, the hook sheave 110 is raised while lengthening the cable 111 lowers the hook sheave 110.

The vertical movement of the hook sheave 110 is independent of the vertical movement of the boom 55 due to raising and lowering the main mast 48. Furthermore, the movement of the trolley 90 along the boom 55 does not affect the vertical position of the hook sheave 1 10 although it changes its longitudinal position relative to the boom 55. g

Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown the hydraulic circuit of the present invention. The hydraulic circuit ineludes the reservoir 15, which is formed within the tubular members 12 and 14 of the frame 11 as previously mentioned. The fluid is pumped from the reservoir 15 through a line 121 by a pump 122 or a pump 123 The pump 122 is driven by a gasoline motor 124, which is supported by the frame 11. The pump 123 is driven by an electric motor 125, which also is supported by the frame 11. Since the gasoline motor 124 is more powerful, the electric motor 125, which is driven by batteries, is normally employed only whenever noise is a factor such as when lowereing a vault or its top into a grave in a cemetery when there is a funeral nearby or when the gasoline motor 124 becomes inoperative. Thus, this provides extra reliability as to always having an available power source for the hydraulic system.

The pump 122 has its outlet connected to a line 126 through a check valve 127. The outlet of the pump 123 also is connected to the line 126 through a check valve 128. Accordingly the check valves 127 and 128 prevent flow to the inactive pump when the other pump is activated.

The line 126 has a filter 129 and a main relief valve 130 therein. The line 126 communicates with a control valve 131 for the motor 19.

The control valve 131, which is a three position valve and is resiliently biased to its off position, controls the flow of fluid to and from the motor 19, which drives the carrier 10. A lever 131' shifts the control valve 131 to either of its two flow positions depending on whether it is desired to advance or retract the carrier 10.

A line 132 connects the control valve 131 to a control valve 133, which controls the flow of fluid to and from the front wheel cylinder 31. The control valve 133, which is a three position control valve and is resiliently biased to its off position, regulates the flow of fluid to and from the front wheel cylinder 31.

When fluid flows to the cylinder 31 in one direction, the piston 30 is extended to raise the frame 11 relative to the ground while flow in the opposite direction lowers the frame 11 relative to the ground. The control valve 133 is shifted to either of its flow positions by a lever 133' so that the fluid can be supplied to either end of the cylinder 31.

A line 134 connects the control valve 133 to a priority flow divider 135. One suitable example of the priority flow divider 135 is sold by Racine Hydraulics Co., Racine, Wis. as model S 1427. The priority flow divider 135 supplies a predetermined quantity of the fluid flowing through the line 134 to a line 136, which is con nected to a control valve 138, while the remainder is returned to the line 121 by a line 137.

The control valve 138 regulates the flow of fluid to the trolley motor 99. When a solenoid 139 is energized, fluid flows in one direction to the trolleymotor 99 to move the trolley 90 in one direction along the boom 55 while energization of a solenoid 140 shifts the control valve 138 in the opposite direction to the movement produced by the solenoid 139 so that fluid flows to the trolley motor 99 in the opposite direction to move the trolley 90 along the boom 55 in the opposite direction. The control valve 138 is a three position valve and is in its off position unless one of the solenoids 139 and 140 is energized.

The control valve 138 is connected to a control valve 141 by a line 142. The control valve 141 controls the flow of fluid to and from the motor 120, which rotates the drum 114.

When a solenoid 143 is energized, the control valve 141 is shifted to a position in which fluid flows to the motor 120 to lower the hook sheave 1 10. An adjustable flow control 144 is disposed in a line 145 from the motor 120 to the control valve 141 to retard the rate of lowering of the load on the hook sheave 110. One suitable example of the adjustable flow control 144 is sold by Skinner Electric Valve Co., New Britain, Conn. as model F 134.

The motor 120 is driven in the opposite direction when a solenoid 146 is energized to shift the control valve 141. The energization of the solenoid 146 results in the motor 120 raising the hook sheave 110. The adjustable flow control 144 is not effective when fluid flowsto the motor 120 through the line 145.

The fluid flows from the control valve 141 through a line 147, which has a main relief valve 148 therein, to a control valve 149. The control valve 149 is a three position valve, which is resiliently biased to its off position. The control valve 149 controls the direction of flow of fluid to the control cylinder 71. A line 150, which connects the cylinder 71 with the control valve 149, has an adjustable flow control 151, which is the same as the as the adjustable flow control 144, therein.

When a lever 152 is shifted in one direction, the control valve 149 is disposed so that fluid is supplied to the cylinder 71 to extend the piston rod 73 therefrom while shifting of the lever 152 in the opposite direction causes the control valve 149 to allow the fluid to be supplied through the line 150 to the cylinder 71 to retract the piston rod 73 into the cylinder 71. The adjustable flow control 151 retards the rate of extension of the piston rod 73 when fluid is supplied to the cylinder 71 to extend the piston rod 73. This is because the heavy load on the hook sheave 110 would cause rapid extension of the piston rod 73 if the adjustable flow control 151 were not present.

The fluid flows from the control valve 149 to a control valve 153 through a line 154. A lever 155 controls the position of the control valve 153, which is a three position control valve and is resiliently biased to its off position, in the same manner as the lever 152 controls the position of the control valve 149.

The control valve 153 governs the flow to and from the cylinder 72 in the same manner as the control valve 149 regulates the flow to the cylinder 71. An adjustable flow control 156, which is the same as the adjustable flow control 144, is disposed in a line 157, which connects one end of the cylinder 72 to the conttrol valve 153, for the same purpose as the adjustable flow control 151.

The control valve 153 is connected by a line 158 to a control valve 159, which is a three position control valve and is resiliently biased to its off position. The control valve 159 controls the fluid flow to both of the main mast cylinders 45. A lever 160 shifts the control valve 159 to either of its flow positions to simultaneously raise or lower the piston rods 47 whereby the main mast 48 is raised or lowered.

The control valve 159 is connected by a line 161 to a control valve 162, which is a three position control valve and is resiliently biased to its off position. The control valve 162 controls the flow of fluid to and from one of the stabilizer cylinders 38. A lever 163 is utilized to shift the control valve 162 to either of its flow positions.

A line 164 connects the control valve 162 with a control valve 165, which is a three position control valve and is resiliently biased to its off position. The control valve 165 regulates the flow of fluid to and from the other of the stabilizer cylinders 38. A lever 166 shifts the control valve to either of its flow positions. The control valve 165 is connected by a line 167 to the reservoir 15.

Accordingly, there is flow of fluid from the reservoir to each of the control valves 131, 133, 138, 141, 149, 153, 159, 162, and 165 in series. Thus, whenever either the gasoline motor 124 or the electric motor 125" is activated, the hydraulic system is pressurized, and it is only necessary for the operator to shift the various control valves to obtain the desired movement.

Considering the operation of the carrier 10 of the present invention, the carrier 10 is towed to the cemetery by hooking the tow bar connection 33 to a tow bar on a truck. One of the motors 124 and 125 is activated since the front wheel 22 must be lifted off the ground during towing. Furthermore, it may be desired to raise or lower the front end of the frame 11 relative to the front wheel 22 so that the tow bar connection 33 is in the same horizontal plane as the tow bar on the truck to which it is to be connected. The motor 124 or 125 is inactivated after the front wheel 22has been raised from the ground.

The truck tows the carrier 10 to the cemetery where the carrier 10 is disconnected from the truck. One of the motors 124 and 125 has been activated so that the front wheel 22 is again in its normal position prior to disconnection of the carrier 10 from the truck.

The drive motor 19 is then activated through shifting the lever 131 so that the carrier 10 is driven to a position in which one of the vaults on the truck bed can be transferred for support on a platform 168 (see FIG. 1), which is formed by a plurality of plates secured to the tubular members 12 and the braces 15' of the frame 1 1. The platform 168, which extends between the tubular members 12, has its front end abutting the bracket 77 and its rear terminating adjacent the mast cylinders 45.

The vaults and tops are normally positioned on the truck bed with their longitudinal axes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the truck bed. Accordingly, when unloading the vault and/or the vault top from the truck bed, the carrier 10 is positioned so that the longitudinal axis of the boom 55 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the truck bed whereby the longitudinal axis of the boom 55 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vault or top which is to be transported to the grave.

Prior to moving the rear end of the boom 55 over the vault on the truck bed, the boom 55 would have been raised vertically relative to the frame 11. This is accomplished by moving the lever 160 so that the piston rods 47 of the main mast cylinders 45 are raised and moving the levers 152 and 155 so that the piston rods 73 and 74 of the control cylinders 71 and 72, respectively, also are extended. This causes the boom 55 to remain in a substantially horizontal position but to be elevated sufficiently to be disposed above the vault on the truck bed.

It also is necessary to position the hook sheave 110 adjacent the rear end of the boom 55. This is accomplished through activating the trolley motor 99 by energizing one of the solenoids 139 and 140. This moves the trolley adjacent the rear end of the boom 55.

It is then necessary to move the plates 36 of the stabilizers 35 into engagement with the ground. Accordingly, the levers 163 and 166 are moved to extend the piston rods 37 from the cylinders 38.

With the boom 55 positioned over the vault, the hook sheave is lowered by energizing the solenoid 143 to rotate the motor so that the hook 109 can engage the hook arrangement, which is employed to lift the vault. It should be understood that this hook arrangement depends on the type of vault.

With the hook 109 of the hook sheave 110 connected to the vault, the hook sheave 110 is raised by energizing the solenoid 146 to rotate the motor 120. This raising of the hook sheave 110 lifts the vault from the truck bed.

Then, the trolley 90 is moved forwardly along the lower flanges of the channels 56 and 57 of the boom 55 through energizing the trolley motor 99 by activating one of the solenoids 139 and 140. The trolley 90 moves forwardly on the boom 55 until the vault is disposed above the platform 168 on the frame 11.

Then, the vault is lowered to the platform 168 by first lowering the boom 55 to its lowermost position and then by lowering the hook sheave 110 if such is necessary. By disposing the boom 55 in its lowermost position, trees, tents, and other obstructions in the cemetery are avoided.

The plates 36 of the stabilizers 35 are then withdrawn from engagement with the ground by retracting the piston rods 37 of the cylinders 38. Next, the motor 19 is energized to drive the vehicle to the desired grave in the cemetery.

Because of obstructions, it may not be possible to approach the grave from either the end or the side. In any event, the vault is raised from the platform 168 in the same manner in which it was lowered thereon. It should be understood that the plates 36 of the stabilizers 38 were returned into engagement with the ground prior to any movement of the vault from the platform 168.

Then, the trolley 90 is advanced along the boom 55 toward the rear thereof until the vault is suspended over the grave. It may be necessary to pivot the boom 55 about the vertical axis of the bolt 64 of the boom support 59 because of the inability to approach the grave from the end. Likewise, it may be necessary to tilt the boom 55 so that the vault can clear an obstruction.

With the vault suspended on the hook 109 of the hook sheave 110 at the rear end of the boom 55, the vault may now be lowered into the grave through first lowering the boom 55 and then lowering the hook sheave 110. It is necessary to use the hook sheave 110 to lower the vault since the lowermost position of the boom 55 is too high to permit the vault to be lowered into the grave. Therefore, it is necessary to lower the hook sheave 110 relative to the boom 55 when lowering the vault into the grave.

After the vault has been lowered into the grave and the hook 109 of the hook sheave 110 disconnected from the hook arrangement, the hook sheave 110 is raised. The stabilizer plates 36 are then removed from engagement with the ground and the carrier is now returned to the truck to pick up another vault. It should be understood that the foregoing description is with the top being transported to the grave after the casket has been lowered therein following the funeral.

Thus, with the vault and the vault top being transported separately, the same type of operation would occur with the vault top. Except for lowering the vault or top into the grave, the operation of the apparatus of the present invention in transporting a monument would be the same.

' If the top were transported to the grave from the truck at the same time as the vault, then the top could be initially supported on the platform 168 and supports disposed thereover for the vault to rest on. Of course, the top could be supported on the vault.

An advantage of this invention is that it enables a vault, its top, a monument, or other heavy load to be handled by only one man. Another advantage of this invention is that it avoids obstructions in a cemetery so that a vault or its top may be readily lowered into a grave. A further advantage of this invention is that there is no possibility of damage to the grave. Still another advantage of this invention is that dangers to the operator from handling such a heavy load are significantly reduced. A still further advantage of this invention is that the training period for operating the carrier is very small in comparison with other types of vault carriers.

For purposes of exemplification, a particular em bodiment of the invention has been shown and described according to the best present understanding thereof.

'However, it will be apparent that changes and modifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts thereof may be resorted to without departing y from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim: 1. A carrier including: a frame supported by a plurality of wheels;

said frame having a fixed platform to support a load; 7

a boom;

first and second means mounted on said frame in spaced relation to each other in the longitudinal direction of said boom to support said boom at two longitudinally spaced portions of said boom;

at least one of said first and second mounted means supporting said boom intermediate its ends;

said first mounted means supporting said boom for pivotal movement about a vertical axis;

means to maintain the vertical axis against movement relative to said frame;

said boom being disposed in spaced relation to said platform by said first and second mounted means;

first moving means to pivot said boom about the vertical axis;

second moving means to shift said boom bodily vertically relative to said platform;

load supporting means supported by said boom;

third moving means to move said load supporting means vertically relative to said boom and said platform and independently of said first and second moving means;

and forth moving means to move said load supporting means parallel to the longitudinal axis of said boom and within the confines of the length of said boom.

2. The carrier according to claim 1 in which:

said second mounted means includes said first moving means;

and said first moving means includes means con nected to said frame and said boom.

3. The carrier according to claim 2 in which said connected means of said first moving means includes a pair of control means, each of said control means being universally connected to said frame and said boom.

4. The carrier according to claim 3 in which:

said load supporting means includes:

a trolley supported on said boom for movement on said boom parallel to the longitudinal axis of said boom;

a hook sheave supported on said trolley for mmovement therewith;

and a hook universally supported on said hook sheave for connection to the load.

5. The carrier according to claim 4 in which said fourth moving means includes means to move said trolley along said boom and said third moving means includes means to move said hook sheave vertically relative to said trolley.

6. The carrier according to claim 2 in which said connected means of said first moving means is connected to said boom adjacent one end thereof.

7. The carrier according to claim 1 in which:

said load supporting means includes:

a trolley supported on said boom for movement on said boom parallel to the longitudinal axis of said boom;

a hook sheave supported on said trolley for movement therewith;

second moving means.

10. The carrier according to claim 1 in which:

said carrier has a single front wheel;

means to steer said front wheel;

and means to raise and lower said front wheel relative to said frame, said raising and lowering means moving said front wheel to any position between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position, said raising and lowering means including means to retain said front wheel in the position to which it is moved.

11. The carrier according to claim 1 in which:

said first mounted means includes means to support said boom for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis;

and said first moving means includes means to pivot said boom about the horizontal axis.

12. The carrier according to claim 2 in which said connected means of said first moving means is universally connected to said frame and said boom.

13. The carrier according to claim 2 in which said first mounted means includes means forming part of said second moving means.

14. The carrier according to claim 13 in which said connected means of said first moving means is connected to said boom adjacent one end thereof.

Patent No.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Dated Inventor(s) October 30, 1973 James E. Cloud Col. 1, line Col. 2, line Col.

Col. line (SEAL) Attest:

-'ORM PO-105O (10-69) line an my line 50, "movement" should EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. Attesting Officer It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

"substantia'" should read substantial "frm" should read from "or" should read of "which" should read which "'I'hd" should read The after "Accordingly" insert a comma cancel the second occurrence of "as the".

12, line 32, "forth" should read fourth read movement Signed and sealed this 25th day of June 1971 C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 w u.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: l9" (Pass-334, 

1. A carrier including: a frame supported by a plurality of wheels; said frame having a fixed platform to support a load; a boom; first and second means mounted on said frame in spaced relation to each other in the longitudinal direction of said boom to support said boom at two longitudinally spaced portions of said boom; at least one of said first and second mounted means supporting said boom intermediate its ends; said first mounted means supporting said boom for pivotal movement about a vertical axis; means to maintain the vertical axis against movement relative to said frame; said boom being disposed in spaced relation to said platform by said first and second mounted Means; first moving means to pivot said boom about the vertical axis; second moving means to shift said boom bodily vertically relative to said platform; load supporting means supported by said boom; third moving means to move said load supporting means vertically relative to said boom and said platform and independently of said first and second moving means; and fourth moving means to move said load supporting means parallel to the longitudinal axis of said boom and within the confines of the length of said boom.
 2. The carrier according to claim 1 in which: said second mounted means includes said first moving means; and said first moving means includes means connected to said frame and said boom.
 3. The carrier according to claim 2 in which said connected means of said first moving means includes a pair of control means, each of said control means being universally connected to said frame and said boom.
 4. The carrier according to claim 3 in which: said load supporting means includes: a trolley supported on said boom for movement on said boom parallel to the longitudinal axis of said boom; a hook sheave supported on said trolley for mmovement therewith; and a hook universally supported on said hook sheave for connection to the load.
 5. The carrier according to claim 4 in which said fourth moving means includes means to move said trolley along said boom and said third moving means includes means to move said hook sheave vertically relative to said trolley.
 6. The carrier according to claim 2 in which said connected means of said first moving means is connected to said boom adjacent one end thereof.
 7. The carrier according to claim 1 in which: said load supporting means includes: a trolley supported on said boom for movement on said boom parallel to the longitudinal axis of said boom; a hook sheave supported on said trolley for movement therewith; and a hook universally supported on said hook sheave for connection to the load.
 8. The carrier according to claim 7 in which said fourth moving means includes means to move said trolley along said boom and said third moving means includes means to move said hook sheave vertically relative to said trolley.
 9. The carrier according to claim 1 in which said first mounted means includes means forming part of said second moving means.
 10. The carrier according to claim 1 in which: said carrier has a single front wheel; means to steer said front wheel; and means to raise and lower said front wheel relative to said frame, said raising and lowering means moving said front wheel to any position between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position, said raising and lowering means including means to retain said front wheel in the position to which it is moved.
 11. The carrier according to claim 1 in which: said first mounted means includes means to support said boom for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis; and said first moving means includes means to pivot said boom about the horizontal axis.
 12. The carrier according to claim 2 in which said connected means of said first moving means is universally connected to said frame and said boom.
 13. The carrier according to claim 2 in which said first mounted means includes means forming part of said second moving means.
 14. The carrier according to claim 13 in which said connected means of said first moving means is connected to said boom adjacent one end thereof. 